"That's my role," McGrady said. "When I see the team is
struggling, it's my job to take over the game and make things
happen. Knocking down my shots or getting to the free throw
line is what I do."

McGrady was 14-of-15 from the free throw line, including 13
straight in regulation, helping the Rockets to their seventh
straight win over the Clippers.

"Guys in this league who are very aggressive and put the ball on
the floor and try to get to the free throw line are going to be
rewarded," McGrady said. "Tonight, I got the calls because I
was more aggressive than I've been in the past."

Despite being held scoreless for the first 5 1/2 minutes of the
fourth quarter, the Clippers took an 81-78 lead with 67 seconds
left on a basket by Chris Wilcox.

After Houston's Jim Jackson made a bank shot, Wilcox went
1-of-2 from the line with eight seconds left, giving the
Clippers an 82-80 lead.

"We got a fortunate break with them missing a free throw,"
Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "But Tracy stuck both of his
free throws and we took advantage in overtime."

Jackson scored 16 points and Maurice Taylor added 14 for the
Rockets, who won for just the second time in their last six
games.

"The way we want to attack the defense is on the dribble,"
Jackson said. "We might as well because all the other teams
we've seen are trying to drive to the basket and take advantage
of the new rule regarding keeping your hands off the dribbler."

Simmons started the season in place of the injured Kerry Kittles
and has taken advantage of his opportunity, shooting 55 percent
from the floor, while averaging 5.3 rebounds and 16.8 points
per game.

"I also played with Washington and the minutes weren't there for
me," Simmons said. "I had to wait my turn. I was playing
behind Michael Jordan and Jerry Stackhouse. I learned a lot
from Michael. He's a great teacher and he has helped me a lot."

Jackson was happy with the win but thought the Rockets should
not have extended the game to overtime.

"Honestly, I don't think it should have gone into overtime,"
Jackson said. "We had the opportunity to close it out in
regulation. And if you give teams life, they can beat you."

Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy was pleased with the overall play
of his team.

"They did a lot of great things out there," Dunleavy said. "We
just ended up on the wrong side of the scorecard. A couple of
plays down the stretch hurt the outcome of the game. But
overall they did the right things."